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Valentini R, Grant-Kels JM, Falcone M, Stewart CL. Merkel cell carcinoma and the eye. Clin Dermatol 2024; 42:381-389. [PMID: 38325726 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2024.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare cutaneous neuroendocrine tumor with a poor five-year survival rate. Yearly cases have risen nearly 350% since the early 1980s, and these are predicted to increase as the overall US population ages. MCC of the eyelid is uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as other benign inflammatory and neoplastic eyelid disorders. Although MCC of the head and neck is often more aggressive than it is at other sites, eyelid MCC shows a lower disease-specific mortality rate. A biopsy is essential for accurate diagnosis, including an immunohistochemical panel of CK20 and TTF-1, although other markers may be necessary. Staging can be assessed clinically through physical examination findings and imaging and/or pathologically with sentinel lymph node biopsy or fine-needle aspiration. Pathologic staging more accurately predicts the prognosis. Eyelid MCC treatments include Mohs micrographic surgery to allow for complete clearance and adequate reconstruction of lost tissue, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. In advanced disease, immunotherapies are preferred over traditional chemotherapy and are a subject of ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo Valentini
- University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jane M Grant-Kels
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Madina Falcone
- Department of Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Campbell L Stewart
- Department of Dermatology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
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Tran MN, Ratnayake G, Wong D, McGrath LA. Conjunctival Merkel cell carcinoma: case report and review of the literature. Digit J Ophthalmol 2022; 28:64-68. [PMID: 36405444 PMCID: PMC9635759 DOI: 10.5693/djo.02.2022.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) of the conjunctiva is rare. We report the case of a 73-year-old man who presented with unilateral foreign body sensation and blurred vision. A rapidly enlarging conjunctival lesion was identified and excised. The histopathological diagnosis was poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, later reclassified as neuroendocrine / Merkel cell carcinoma following excision on subsequent recurrence. The patient developed lymph node and widespread metastatic disease. The challenges of diagnosing MCC at this site are discussed and the literature on treatment options for this aggressive disease is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai N. Tran
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace, Brisbane, Australia;,Correspondence: Mai Tran, Radiation Oncology, Princess Alexandra Hospital Raymond Terrace 31 Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane Qld 4101 Australia ()
| | | | - David Wong
- Department of Anatomical Pathology, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lindsay A. McGrath
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia;,Department of Ophthalmology, Mater Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
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Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Left Eyelid with Metastasis to the Left Submandibular Lymph Nodes: A Case Report and Brief Review. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med 2022; 2022:4712301. [PMID: 35251726 PMCID: PMC8894019 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4712301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a cutaneous cancer often found on sun-exposed areas. MCC is rare but very often lethal making early diagnosis challenging although critical. There are only a few cases that have reported MCC of the eyelid making it often hard to identify in clinic. A 52-year-old woman with a firm nodule on the left eyelid was diagnosed with MCC that had also metastasized to a left submandibular lymph node. She underwent surgical excision of the mass and lymph node as well as parotid gland and neck dissection to rule out other metastases and then underwent radiation therapy. The aim of this study is to report a case of eyelid MCC with metastasis to a local lymph node to provide another example of the rare cancer in hopes that diagnosis and treatment options for MCC are more thoroughly studied and understood.
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Downie LE, Bandlitz S, Bergmanson JPG, Craig JP, Dutta D, Maldonado-Codina C, Ngo W, Siddireddy JS, Wolffsohn JS. CLEAR - Anatomy and physiology of the anterior eye. Cont Lens Anterior Eye 2021; 44:132-156. [PMID: 33775375 DOI: 10.1016/j.clae.2021.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A key element of contact lens practice involves clinical evaluation of anterior eye health, including the cornea and limbus, conjunctiva and sclera, eyelids and eyelashes, lacrimal system and tear film. This report reviews the fundamental anatomy and physiology of these structures, including the vascular supply, venous drainage, lymphatic drainage, sensory innervation, physiology and function. This is the foundation for considering the potential interactions with, and effects of, contact lens wear on the anterior eye. This information is not consistently published as academic research and this report provides a synthesis from all available sources. With respect to terminology, the report aims to promote the consistent use of nomenclature in the field, and generally adopts anatomical terms recommended by the Federative Committee for Anatomical Terminology. Techniques for the examination of the ocular surface are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Stefan Bandlitz
- Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik Köln, Cologne School of Optometry, Germany; School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jan P G Bergmanson
- Texas Eye Research and Technology Center, University of Houston College of Optometry, United States
| | - Jennifer P Craig
- Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Debarun Dutta
- School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Carole Maldonado-Codina
- Eurolens Research, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, UK
| | - William Ngo
- Centre for Ocular Research & Education, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada; Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR), 14W Hong Kong Science Park, Hong Kong
| | | | - James S Wolffsohn
- School of Optometry, Aston University, Birmingham, UK; Department of Ophthalmology, New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
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Merkel cell carcinoma of the eyelid: A review. Surv Ophthalmol 2019; 64:659-667. [PMID: 30871952 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive tumor of both epithelial and neuroendocrine origin, which carries a mortality rate of up to 40%. MCC tumors typically present as painless, expanding nodules on the sun-exposed skin areas of older, white patients. Eyelid and periocular tumors comprise approximately 2.5% of all cases of MCC and may be mistaken for chalazia or basal cell carcinomas. Immunosuppression is a significant risk factor, particularly in solid-organ-transplant recipients, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and patients with HIV. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is often used for accurate staging of head and neck MCC. Treatment includes wide local excision, commonly with the addition of radiotherapy for improved locoregional disease control. Historically, adjuvant chemotherapy had been reserved for metastatic disease, but immunotherapy and targeted chemotherapies are currently being investigated for use in primary disease. The clinical characteristics of all available published cases of eyelid MCC are summarized in this article.
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Polakovičová S, Csöbönyeiová M, Filova B, Borovský M, Maršík L, Kvasilová A, Polák Š. Merkel-like cell distribution in the epithelium of the human vagina. An immunohistochemical and TEM study. Eur J Histochem 2018; 62:2836. [PMID: 29569875 PMCID: PMC5827109 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2018.2836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human Merkel cells (MCs) were first described by Friedrich S. Merkel in 1875 and named "Tastzellen" (touch cells). Merkel cells are primarily localized in the basal layer of the epidermis and concentrated in touch-sensitive areas. In our previous work, we reported on the distribution of MCs in the human esophagus, so therefore we chose other parts of the human body to study them. We selected the human vagina, because it has a similar epithelium as the esophagus and plays very important roles in reproduction and sexual pleasure. Due to the fact that there are very few research studies focusing on the innervation of this region, we decided to investigate the occurrence of MCs in the anterior wall of the vagina. The aim of our research was to identify MCs in the stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium of the human vagina in 20 patients. For the identification of Merkel cells by light microscopy, we used antibodies against simple-epithelial cytokeratins (especially anti-cytokeratin 20). We also tried to identify them using transmission electron microscopy. Our investigation confirmed that 10 (50 %) of 20 patients had increased number of predominantly intraepithelial CK20 positive "Merkel-like" cells (MLCs) in the human vaginal epithelium. Subepithelial CK20 positive MLCs were observed in only one patient (5%). We tried to identify them also using transmission electron microscopy. Our investigation detected some unique cells that may be MCs. The purpose of vaginal innervation is still unclear. There are no data available concerning the distribution of MCs in the human vagina, so it would be interesting to study the role of MCs in the vaginal epithelium, in the context of innervation and epithelial biology.
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Pellicciari C. Histochemistry in biology and medicine: a message from the citing journals. Eur J Histochem 2015; 59:2610. [PMID: 26708189 PMCID: PMC4698620 DOI: 10.4081/ejh.2015.2610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Especially in recent years, biomedical research has taken advantage of the progress in several disciplines, among which microscopy and histochemistry. To assess the influence of histochemistry in the biomedical field, the articles published during the period 2011-2015 have been selected from different databases and grouped by subject categories: as expected, biological and biomedical studies where histochemistry has been used as a major experimental approach include a wide of basic and applied researches on both humans and other animal or plant organisms. To better understand the impact of histochemical publications onto the different biological and medical disciplines, it was useful to look at the journals where the articles published in a multidisciplinary journal of histochemistry have been cited: it was observed that, in the five-years period considered, 20% only of the citations were in histochemical periodicals, the remaining ones being in journals of Cell & Tissue biology, general and experimental Medicine, Oncology, Biochemistry & Molecular biology, Neurobiology, Anatomy & Morphology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, Reproductive biology, Veterinary sciences, Physiology, Endocrinology, Tissue engineering & Biomaterials, as well as in multidisciplinary journals.It is easy to foresee that also in the future the histochemical journals will be an attended forum for basic and applied scientists in the biomedical field. It will be crucial that these journals be open to an audience as varied as possible, publishing articles on the application of refined techniques to very different experimental models: this will stimulate non-histochemist scientists to approach histochemistry whose application horizon could expand to novel and possibly exclusive subjects.
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Stakaitytė G, Wood JJ, Knight LM, Abdul-Sada H, Adzahar NS, Nwogu N, Macdonald A, Whitehouse A. Merkel cell polyomavirus: molecular insights into the most recently discovered human tumour virus. Cancers (Basel) 2014; 6:1267-97. [PMID: 24978434 PMCID: PMC4190541 DOI: 10.3390/cancers6031267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 05/01/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A fifth of worldwide cancer cases have an infectious origin, with viral infection being the foremost. One such cancer is Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin malignancy. In 2008, Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) was discovered as the causative agent of MCC. It is found clonally integrated into the majority of MCC tumours, which require MCPyV oncoproteins to survive. Since its discovery, research has begun to reveal the molecular virology of MCPyV, as well as how it induces tumourigenesis. It is thought to be a common skin commensal, found at low levels in healthy individuals. Upon loss of immunosurveillance, MCPyV reactivates, and a heavy viral load is associated with MCC pathogenesis. Although MCPyV is in many ways similar to classical oncogenic polyomaviruses, such as SV40, subtle differences are beginning to emerge. These unique features highlight the singular position MCPyV has as the only human oncogenic polyomavirus, and open up new avenues for therapies against MCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielė Stakaitytė
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Jennifer J Wood
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Laura M Knight
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Hussein Abdul-Sada
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Noor Suhana Adzahar
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Nnenna Nwogu
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Andrew Macdonald
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Adrian Whitehouse
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Astbury Centre of Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK.
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